Ava Azzopardi critical after suffering cardiac arrest at Surfers Paradise soccer game

The family of a teenage girl who collapsed during a soccer game on the Gold Coast has thanked those who “kept Ava alive until paramedics arrived”.

The family of a teenage girl who went into cardiac arrest during a soccer game on the Gold Coast has thanked those who kept her alive until paramedics arrived.

Ava Azzopardi, 14. collapsed on the field during the Division 1 Under-14/15s grand final between Runaway Bay and Magic United at Surfers Paradise Apollo Soccer Club on Friday night.

Nine ambulance crews were called to the ground about 6.30pm with paramedics reviving Ava on the field before she was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital in a critical condition.

It’s understood Ava, 14, had been on the field for about 30 seconds when she collapsed.

“We don’t know why she collapsed,” Runaway Bay Soccer Club junior girls director Al Mucci said.

“She was a bench player, an impact player, and she came on about 20 minutes into the game.

“She ran onto the field and just collapsed. She wasn’t even near the ball when it happened.

“The quick-thinking refs were straight onto it and grounds people and bench staff ran onto the field to assist.”

Mr Mucci said Ava’s devastated teammates and other players and officials were coming together at the club in a show support for Ava.

“We’ve got trauma counsellors coming down – everyone is coming down to support Ava, her family and each other,” he said.

“The community is coming together and everyone is praying for Ava to come through this.

“Her parents want to thank everyone for their support.”

Football Gold Coast issued a statement on Facebook revealing Ava was in an induced coma at Queensland Children’s Hospital.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Ava Azzopardi,” the statement read.

“The Azzopardi family have expressed a heartfelt thank you to all the first responders who kept Ava alive until the paramedics arrived.”

Surfers Paradise Apollo Soccer Club where a teenage girl collapsed on the field during an Under14/15s Grand Final soccer game on Friday night. Picture: Supplied

Mr Mucci said the girl’s parents were “distraught” but also “so thankful for the first responders”.

“We are all here to support her and her family,” he said.

He said doctors and nurses who were at the grand final against Magic United who rendered first aid to the teenager until paramedics arrived.

“(The parents) took control until the paramedics arrived,” Mr Mucci said.

“The paramedics were great as well.”

It is understood Ava was an impact player for the team but was not near the play when she collapsed.

“It was very traumatic for everyone and we hope she recovers well,” Mr Mucci said.

Runaway Bay Soccer Club, in a post on Facebook, said counsellors had been made available at Bayhawks soccer club from 10am on Saturday for families and players.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Ava Azzopardi and her family,” the club wrote.

Queensland Ambulance Service operations supervisor Jayney Shearman said Ava did not have a known medical condition and her heart attack came ‘out of the blue’.

“There was no reason to expect that it would occur as is often the case,” she said.

“It’s certainly not something that one would expect during the course of a routine soccer game but whilst it is rare, it can occur from time to time.

“Cardiac arrests do not discriminate – they can happen to anyone of any age and fitness level.”

Ms Shearman said Ava was fortunate that a doctor was at the soccer ground when she collapsed and CPR was quickly administered.

“It really highlights the value of knowing CPR and getting it happening quickly before paramedics arrive to do advanced care,” she said.

“It buys us time and most certainly change the outcome of a critical incident.”

A Surfers Paradise Apollo Soccer Club representative told The Courier-Mail that the scene on Friday was “certainly confronting”.

“It was something nobody ever wants to see. We thank the parents and volunteers who rendered first aid before the ambulance arrived.

“As a club and football community, our prayers are with the family at this distressing time, and encourage anyone who witnessed the incident to seek counselling if required.”

Last night, the club announced on Facebook that due to an “unfortunate incident in the earlier kick-off” the under-18 grand final would be cancelled and rescheduled for another night.

“Wishing the best to those involved tonight,” the post said.